Middlesbrough V Leicester at The Riverside Stadium : Match Preview

02 August 2013 01:01

Middlesbrough duo Jozsef Varga and Dean Whitehead are expected to make their debuts when they host Leicester on the opening day.

Midfielder Varga joined from Debrecen in the summer and the Hungarian international should line up in the middle.

Former Stoke and Sunderland man Whitehead is also likely to join him in midfield after the 31-year-old penned a two-year deal.

Manager Tony Mowbray has a fully-fit squad to choose from as he plots another promotion push.

David Nugent has recovered from a minor injury to give Leicester boss Nigel Pearson a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Nugent, the Foxes' leading scorer last season with 16 goals, has missed the last two friendly matches with a thigh strain but the striker will be part of the squad that travels to Teesside.

Zoumana Bakayogo is the only new signing at the King Power Stadium this summer. The former Tranmere defender, who joined the club on a free transfer last week, will provide Paul Konchesky with competition for the left-back spot.

Striker Jermaine Beckford and central midfielder Richie Wellens were the notable departures from Pearson's squad during the close season.